Apparatus for measuring density of bone

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an (x-ray) bone densitometer comprising a stand including an “L”-shape handle consisted of an horizontal and a vertical plate capable of rotating between an horizontal position and a vertical position on the horizontal plate, a handle groove, the first and the second guide pins, and a stand groove; and a housing including an opening formed perpendicular in the center of the upper part (of said housing), the opening having one or more of the first and the second guide grooves for guiding the movements of said first and said second guide pins, a stand settle groove for settling the stand when the stand is settled horizontally, and a stand erecting groove for supporting the stand when the stand is erected in slope.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a bone densitometerfor measuring bone density for the purpose of diagnosis of osteoporosisusing x-ray, and, in particular, to an integrated bone densitometerhaving a stand for supporting the part of a body to be measured which isso designed that the position of the stand can be adjusted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Generally, density of a human bone decreases with increase of theage as it can be observed from a cross-sectional view of a bone showingdevastation by pore formations in the tissue of the bone, resulting indecrease of the bone strength. When the density of a bone decreases, thebone can easily be injured by small impact and, in extreme cases, even apatient's life can be menaced. A bone densitometer is an apparatus formeasuring the density of a bone for the purpose of preventing orstopping this decrease process in bone density.

[0003] For obtaining an accurate result, it is preferable that the bonesof the heel or of the wrist of a patient are measured, and measurementof the same bone should be repeated for monitoring the process ofosteoporosis.

[0004] As shown in FIG 1 a, a conventional bone densitometer is equippedwith a foot stand 1 for accurate measurement of heel bones, comprising asole guide and a calf guide capable of pivoting to form a right angleduring the measurement. A patient 2 puts his sole and heel on the soleguide and the calf guide, respectively, while the sole guide and thecalf guide remain rectangular to each other during the measurement.

[0005] Referring to FIG. 1b, in order to measure the density of wristbones, the foot stand 1 should be removed from the bone densitometer.If, on the other hand, a measurement of heel bones is necessary aftermeasurement of wrist bones, the foot stand 1 should be reinstasted andthe position and direction of the bone densitometer need to berearranged, which process is unhandy and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention, conceived in view of the above demand,alms to provide a bone densitometer with a stand which is capable ofmeasuring bone density of both the wirst bones and the heel bones bysimply adjusting the settle position according to the body parts to bemeasured

[0007] The present invention further aims to provide a stand for bonedensitometer which allows easy change of the settle position fordifferent body parts in order to yield enhanced convenience inmeasurements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1a illustrates a conventional bone densitometer in use formeasuring the heel part.

[0009]FIG. 1b illustrates a conventional bone densitometer in use formeasuring the wrist part.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the construction of a bonedensitometer in accordance with the present invention.

[0011]FIGS. 3a through 3 f illustrate the outer appearances of a bonedensitometer having a stand 100 for support of the body part to bemeasured as set horizontally, wherein FIG. 3a is a plane view, FIG. 3bis a front view, FIG. 3c is a bottom view, FIG. 3d is a right side view.FIG. 3e is a rear view, and FIG. 3f is a perspective view.

[0012]FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a bone densitometer as the rightpart cut off, and of the stand 100 as it is separated from the main bodyof the bone densitometer.

[0013]FIG. 4b is a cross sectional view of the bone densitometer as theright part cut off, after the stand 100 has been separated.

[0014]FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the stand 100 with a handle 110in perpendicular position.

[0015]FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the stand 100 with a handle 110in horizontal position.

[0016]FIG. 5c is an exploded perspective view of the stand.

[0017]FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a bone densitometer in accordancewith the present invention with its stand set horizontally, and theright side of the stand being cut off.

[0018]FIG. 6b is a right side view of a bone densitometer in accordancewith the present invention with its stand set horizontally, and theright side of the stand being cut off

[0019]FIG. 6c is a perspective view of a bone densitometer in accordancewith the present invention with its stand erected to a slope position,and the right side of the stand being cut off.

[0020]FIG. 6d is a cross sectional view of a bone densitometer inaccordance with the present invention with its stand erected to a slopeposition, and the right side of the stand being cut off.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Now, a description of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is given below, making reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing the construction of a bonedensitometer in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the bone densitometer comprises an x-raygenerator 3, an x-ray detector 4, a power supply 5, and a main board 6.

[0024] The x-ray generator 3 includes a controller, a D/A converter, adriver, a collimator A for preventing dispersion of x-ray, and a shutterfor physical interception of x-ray. The x-ray dector 4 which receivesthe x-rays from the x-ray generator 3, includes a scintillator forchanging the x-ray to a visible ray. The power supply 5 supplieselectricity securely to the x-ray generator3, the x-ray dector 4, andthe main board 6, the main board 6 controls the x-ray generator 3 andthe x-ray dector 4, and transmits images received from the x-ray dector4 through USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0025]FIGS. 3a through 3 f illustrate the outer appearances of the bonedensitometer having a stand 100 for support of the body part to bemeasured as set horizontally, wherein FIG. 3a is a plane view, FIG. 3bis a front view, FIG. 3c is a bottom view, FIG. 3d is a right side view,FIG. 3e is a rear view, and FIG. 3f is a perspective view.

[0026]FIGS. 4a and 4 b show the bone densitometer with the right partcut off.

[0027]FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the bone densitometer as theright part cut off, and of the stand 100 as it is separated from themain body of the bone densitometer.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4a, a housing 10 includes an opening 11 formedperpendicular in the center of the upper part and having the first guidegroove 12 and the second guide groove 14 at each side of the opening 11for guiding the movements of the stand 100; a stand settle groove 16formed concavely in the bottom of the opening 11 for accommodating thestand 100 when the stand 100 is settled horizontally; and a standerecting groove 18 formed concavely to support the stand 100 when thestand 100 the stand 100 is erected in slope.

[0029] And at far right side of FIG. 4a, the stand 100 for supportingthe measure part of the body is shown as separated from the housing 10.The stand 100 includes the first guide pin 142 to be connected to thefirst guide groove 12 and the second guide pin 144 to be connected tothe second guide groove 14 at each side in order to ensure safe guidanceof the movements of the stand 100 in the opening 11.

[0030]FIG. 4b is a cross sectional view of the bone densitometer as theright part cut off, after the stand 100 has been separated.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4b, the first guide grooves 12 are formed toenable curve motion between the inner lower part and the outer upperpart of the opening 11 in combination with the first guide pins 142 ofthe stand 100, while the second guide grooves 14 comprise a linear partfor guiding linear motion of the second guide pins 144 along each sideof the opening 11, and a curved part at the innermost end of the linearpart to allow the second guide pins 144 to move downward. And, the standsettle groove 16 includes a stand erecting groove 18 formed concavelyfor supporting edge of the stand 100.

[0032]FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the stand 100 with a handle 110in perpendicular position.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5a, the stand 100 in ‘L’-shape consisted of ahorizontal plate and a vertical plate includes a handle 110 rotatablebetween horizontal and vertical angles on the horizontal plate; a handlegroove 112 formed on the horizontal plate for accommodating the handle110 in the horizontal plate when the handle 110 is rotated to thehorizontal position; the first guide pins 142 and the second guide pins144 formed at each side of the stand 100 for guiding movements of thestand 100; a support plate 120 formed in plate form vertically to thehorizontal plate; and a stand groove 130 formed at an end of the stand100, allowing easy grasping and carrying of the horizontal plate. Thus,a simple holding of the handle 110 in its vertical position allowscorrect placing of the wrist part to be measured and supporting thereofat the same time, so that the accuracy of measurement is ensured.

[0034]FIG. 5b is a perspective view of the stand 100 with the handle 110in horozontal position.

[0035] If the handle 110 is in its vertical position, laid in the handlegroove 112 as shown in FIG. 5b, the heel bones can be measured, in whichcase the calf shall adhere to the horizontal plate while the sole shalladhere to the vertical plate.

[0036] The parts of the stand 100 are explained below with reference toFIG. 5c, which is an exploded view thereof.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5c, the handle 110 includes a shaft hole 116 ina slot form formed along the handle's length, piercing the lower part ofthe handle 110, and turns on the shaft 114 which pierces the side of thestand 100 and inserts into the shaft hole 116. When the handle 110 isset vertically, the handle 110 goes down until the shaft 114 touches theupper end of the shaft hole 116, and is set not to rotate further,because the lower part of the handle 110 is blocked by the handle groove112. And, when the handle 110 is to be set horizontally, the handle 110should be raised until the shaft 114 touches the lower end of the shafthole 116 and then be pivoted on the shaft 114 until the handle 114 isentirely buried in the handle groove 112.

[0038] The support plate 120 is combined with the support plate slot 122in a manner movable along the support plate slot 122 formed on thehorizontal plate of the stand 100 in a direction rectangular to thelength of the stand 100. The support plate 120 initially remains tightlydrawn to the inside of the support plate slot 122 by the restore spring124. When measuring commences, the support plate is moved outward alongthe support plate 122, the measuring part is placed on the stand 100, sothat the measuring part is supported and tightly adhered to the supportplate 120 by force of the restore spring 124 after the force inflictedon the support plate 122 has been removed. In addition, the far rightdrawing in FIG. 5c illustrates the support plate 120 and the restorespring 124 as combined together.

[0039]FIG. 6a is a perspective view of a bone densitometer in accordancewith the present invention with its stand set horizontally, and theright side of the stand being cut off.

[0040] A bone densitometer with the stand set horizontally in theopening 11, and with vertically erected handle 110 in the stand 100 asshown in FIG. 6a, is for measuring the wrist bones. When a patient putshis hand in the opening 11 and grasps the handle 110, the forearm isproperly supported by the support plate 100 and the wrist is correctlyplaced in the pathway of the x-ray.

[0041]FIG. 6b is a right side view of a bone densitometer in accordancewith the present invention with its stand set horizontally, and theright side of the stand being cut off.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 6b, when the stand 100 is set horizontally, thefirst guide pin 142 is situated at the upper end of the first guidegroove 12, the second guide pin 144 is situated at the right end of thesecond guide groove (not illustrated in the drawing), and the stand 100is settled on the stand settle groove 16. Then, the stand 100 issupported firmly without any additional fixture means because the bottomand edge of the stand 100 contact tightly to the surface of the bottomand sides of the stand settle groove 16.

[0043]FIG. 6c is a perspective view of a bone densitometer in accordancewith the present invention with its stand erected to a slope position,and the right side of the stand being cut off.

[0044] If the user grasps the stand groove 130 and lifts the stand 100,while pulling it in a state as in FIG. 6a, so that the first guide pin142 is situated at the lower end of the first guide groove 12 and thesecond guide pin 144 is situated at the left end of the second guidegroove 14, the edges of the stand 100 are settled on the stand erectiongroove 18 in slope as shown in FIG. 6c. This structure of the bonedensitometer is designed for measurement of the heel bones. Formeasuring density of the heel bones, the handle 110 is laid down and putinto the horizontal plate of the stand 100, and then the heel is put inthe pathway of the x-ray by adherences of the calf to the horizontalplate and of the sole to the vertical plate.

[0045]FIG. 6d is a cross sectional view of a bone densitometer inaccordance with the present invention with its stand erected to a slopeposition, and the right side of the stand being cut off.

[0046] If the user grasps the stand groove 130 and lifts the stand 100while pulling it in a state as in FIG. 6b, the first guide pin 142 movesin curve to the inner lower part of the densitometer along the firstguide groove 12 and the second guide pin 144 enters the curved part ofthe second guide groove 14 and moves downward so that the edges of thestand 100 also move downward, and thus, the stand 100 is settled on thestand erection groove 18 forming a ‘V’-shape, as shown in FIG. 6d. Withthe stand 100 settled as in FIG. 6d, the second guide pin 144 ispositioned in the lower end of the curved part of the second guidegroove 14 and the stand 100 is not movable to the right, to the left, orto downward, so that the stand is supported firmly without anyadditional fixing means.

[0047] In order to change the position of the stand 100 from a status asin FIG. 6d to a status as in FIG. 6b, the stand should be lifted, to letthe second guide pin 144 depart the lower end of the curved part of thesecond guide groove 14, and then the first guide pin 142 is moved to theouter upper end of the first guide groove 12, while the second guide pin144 is moved to the outer end of the second guide groove 14, so that thestand 100 is settled on the stand settle groove 16 horizontally.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described above withreference to the preferred embodiments, the scope of the rights of thesubject invention is not restricted thereto, but rather shall bedetermined by the claims attached herein below and their equivalents,allowing various alterations, modifications, and adjustments, as thoseskilled in the art will understand.

[0049] As described above, the present invention allows easymeasurements of both heel bones and wrist bones without additionalapparatus, because the bone densitometer in accordance with the presentinvention is equipped with a stand capable of supporting a foot as wellas a wrist.

[0050] Further, since the bone densitometer in accordance with thepresent invention is equipped with an integrated stand capable ofchanging its position and capable of supporting the wrist part inhorizontal, or supporting the heel parting slope position, the bonedensitometer enhances convenience in measurements of the bone density.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bone densitometer having an opening between anx-ray generator and an x-ray detector comprising: a stand in “L”-shapeconsisted of an horizontal plate and a vertical plate including a handlecapable of rotating between a horizontal position and a verticalposition on said horizontal plate, a handle groove formed on saidhorizontal plate for accommodating said handle in said horizontal platewhen said handle is positioned horizontally, the first and second guidepins formed at each side of said stand for guiding the movements of saidhorizontal plate and vertical plate, and a stand groove formed at oneend of said horizontal plate for grasping and carrying said horizontalplate; and a housing including an opening formed perpendicular in thecenter of the upper part of said housing, the opening having one or moreof the first and the second guide grooves at each side of said opening;a stand settle groove formed concavely in the bottom of said opening toaccommodate said stand when said stand is settled horizontally; and astand erecting groove formed concavely in said stand settle groove forsupporting the edge of said stand when said stand is erected in slope.2. A bone densitometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said handle isbar-shaped and comprises a shaft hole piercing the lower part of saidhandle, and a shaft inserted in said shaft hole through the side of thestand.
 3. A bone densitometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidfirst guide grooves are formed between the inner low part and the outerupper part of said opening in the shape of a curve in order to guide themotion of said first guide pins.
 4. A bone densitometer as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said second guide grooves comprise: a linear part forguiding said second pins' linear horizontal movements along each side ofsaid opening; and a curved part at the innermost end of the linear partin order to allow the second guide pins to move downward.
 5. A bonedensitometer as set forth in claim 1, wherein said stand furthercomprises a support plate which is connected to the inside of thehorizontal plate by a restore spring and moves in the perpendiculardirection along the length of said horizontal plate.